NHS patients will now have access to the next generation of technological advancements, treatments, and vaccines, including “transformational” mRNA technology, after the Government reached an agreement with Moderna to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing centre in the UK.
The new manufacturing centre will guarantee access to Covid-19 jabs, as well as the ability to develop treatments that target a range of different illnesses such as flu and respiratory syncytial virus – ultimately giving the NHS scope to bring the very latest technological innovations to their patients.
Supplementary to this, a new mRNA Innovation and Technology Centre will help the UK future-proof against further health threats by developing cutting-edge mRNA vaccines countering a wide array of respiratory diseases, including Covid-19 and its variants.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “Our new partnership with Moderna will cement the UK’s status as a science superpower, significantly boosting the economy and creating jobs.
“It has the potential to unlock the next generation of cutting-edge vaccines to fight diseases such as Covid-19, seasonal flu and RSV – mRNA is a truly transformational technology and we have seen its life-saving power during the pandemic.
“Thanks to this new deal, NHS patients will benefit from scientific breakthroughs and the new state-of-the-art manufacturing centre will boost our ability to respond to the next pandemic by ensuring we’re able to produce vaccines rapidly on our own shores.”
Construction could begin as early as this year, with the first mRNA vaccine scheduled to be produced in 2025.
This is the latest in a long line of measures that have kept the UK and the NHS at the forefront of global healthcare and the pioneers of medical breakthroughs.
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said: “We are bringing supercharged, homegrown vaccines right to our shores. I want the UK to be the brightest and best in research and technology, creating more jobs and securing our economic future.
“Our investment will guarantee jabs in arms against some of the toughest viruses out there, bringing us to the forefront of the fight against future threats. We’ve all seen what vaccines can do, and today’s partnership brings us one step closer to finding cures for some of the most devastating diseases.”
More information about the new agreement is available here.
